Greatest England moments against Scotland
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We round up the Three Lions’ best modern moments against Scotland
Old enemies England and Scotland locked horns on Saturday 10th June in their 2018 World Cup qualifying clash, with both teams desperate to emerge victorious at Hampden Park.
The Three Lions went into game as favourites, as they sat four points clear at the top of Qualifying Group F. Scotland, meanwhile, were looking to keep their qualifying hopes alive and get revenge for November’s 3-0 defeat.
Given the intensity of the rivalry and the interesting outcomes it has thrown up in the past, many were expecting a good game and it didn’t disappoint. After a dull first half, the game came to life when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came off the bench to open the scoring. The hosts never gave up though and found themselves ahead with two superb Leigh Griffiths free kicks in the space of three minutes.
Hampden was rocking as the home crowd thought their side had stolen the points late on, but there was to be more drama. A last gasp attack from the visitors saw a floated cross land on the right foot of Harry Kane – we all know how that ends. With the game ending 2-2, Slovakia were able to narrow the gap on England to two points, while Scotland will still fancy their chances of qualifying with plenty of matches left to play.
So, after that grand stand finish, Coral football writers took a look at the greatest England moments against Scotland…
England 2-0 Scotland (Euro 1996)
Current England interim boss Southgate played in this contest, in a match that Terry Venables’ men needed to win after only drawing 1-1 with Switzerland in their Group A opener.
The pressure was on the Three Lions after a goalless first half, but eventually they unlocked the Scotland defence as Gary Neville raided down the right, before Alan Shearer latched onto his cross at the back post to head the host nation into the lead.
Craig Brown’s side rallied and won a penalty when Gordon Durie was brought down in the box. Gary McAllister had the opportunity to equalise, but saw his strike saved by David Seaman.
The stop set the stage for Paul Gascoigne to produce the most memorable moment in recent history for the Three Lions as he collected the ball, lifted it over Colin Hendry before smashing his volley past Andy Goram to secure the win and perform the infamous ‘dentist’s chair’ celebration.
Relive that memorable moment below:
Scotland 0-2 England (November 1999)
England struggled immensely in their Euro qualifying group, finishing nine points behind Sweden in second place, narrowly edging out Poland on goal difference to set up the clash with the Scots.
The first meeting took place at Hampden Park where a vociferous home crowd was baying for English blood, but Kevin Keegan’s men were to rise to the challenge with Paul Scholes taking centre stage.
First the Manchester United midfielder handed his side the lead, with a brilliant solo goal taking the ball on his chest before rolling it past Neil Sullivan. Scotland should have responded but Kevin Gallacher spurned a golden chance, seeing his low shot saved by Seaman.
Scholes punished the home side by doubling England’s advantage, guiding David Beckham’s corner into the net to secure the win, putting the Three Lions in command of the tie.
England 3-2 Scotland (August 2013)
The clash at the New Wembley was the first since England’s aggregate triumph in the play-off fixture, but once again Scotland took the lead in the contest when James Morrison fired a strike from distance that travelled through Joe Hart.
Theo Walcott equalised with a well-taken strike cutting in from the left but, early in the second, Kenny Miller restored the visitors’ advantage with a sweet left-footed effort. The Three Lions replied almost immediately when Danny Welbeck headed Steven Gerrard’s free-kick home from close range.
The stage was set for debutant Rickie Lambert to enjoy a dream start to his international career as he won the game for Roy Hodgson’s men, scoring with his first touch directing his powerful header into the bottom corner.
Scotland 1-3 England (November 2014)
Meeting at Celtic Park, Scotland were desperate to put one over on the Three Lions, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain guided Hodgson’s men into the lead in the first half with a flicked header.
Wayne Rooney doubled England’s advantage in the second half with a predatory header from close range to all but secure the win, although Andrew Robertson tried to set up a grandstand finish as he surged through the Three Lions’ defence and fired a strike past Fraser Forster.
However, Rooney notched his second of the game, to then move three behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record, finishing a neat move from close range to ensure that his side ran out comfortable victors.
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